STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY THE PERMANENT MISSION OF IRAQ TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 136, PROPOSED PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR 2026 - CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND COMPENSATION FOR OFFICIALS OTHER THAN SECRETARIAT OFFICIALS MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE AND THE PRESIDENT AND JUDGES OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDUAL MECHANISM FOR CRIMINAL TRIBUNALS AT THE MAIN PART OF THE EIGHTIETH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 6 November 2025)

Madam Chair,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the agenda item 136, Proposed programme budget 2026: Conditions of Service and Compensation for Officials Other than Secretariat Officials Members of the International Court of Justice and the President and Judges of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

2. The Group wishes to thank the Secretariat and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, (ACABQ), for introducing the related reports.

3. The Group of 77 and China takes note of the report the Secretary-General and recalls that, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 65/258, the Assembly established a three-year review cycle for the conditions of service and compensation of the members of the International Court of Justice and the judges of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. We also recall resolution 77/263 B, in which the Assembly maintained the current pension scheme of the judges following the last comprehensive review.

Madam Chair,

4. The Group favours the improvement of the conditions of service commensurate with the responsibilities of staff members and judges of the Tribunals. It is thus important that the General Assembly endeavours to achieve these objectives in an impartial and decisive manner.

5. The Group notes that no change was proposed by the Secretary General both for the compensation and other conditions of service of the concerned officials. However, the Group would like during the informal meetings to receive more detailed information on the current level of the cost-of-living adjustment of these officials.

6. The Group also notes that the next comprehensive review, in accordance with resolution 65/258, will be undertaken at the eighty-third session of the General Assembly. We trust that the review will continue to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and equity in determining the conditions of service and compensation for members of these judicial bodies.

7. The Group of G-77 and China looks forward to having constructive deliberations on this agenda item during the informal meetings.

I thank you.